Practicing traditional agriculture is the main occupation and a major source of livelihood for the people of the Garhwal region. Over 70% of the population depends on practicing agriculture (GoU 2014; Kasturi 2021), out of which 90% are marginal farmers. The ecology of the Garhwal region is delicate, and the economy is underdeveloped (Sati 2018). Rain-fed traditional subsistence agriculture is practiced on the small terraced fields with restricted access to arable lands (Bijalwan 2012; Sekhar 2003). Meanwhile, in the last 20 years, its productivity has shrunk drastically. The decline of agricultural practices in the Garhwal Himalaya is the subject of this study. It also demonstrates the main causes and consequences of diminishing agriculture.
A household survey was conducted in eight villages across four districts, and data were gathered. A total of 376 households were surveyed (100%). The heads of households were asked about the acreage, production, and productivity of the major crops between 2000 and 2020. The data were also analyzed using statistical software. Agricultural practices in the Garhwal Himalayas are deteriorating, according to this study. There has been a more than 50% loss in acreage, production, and productivity during the last 20 years. High variability and changes in the climatic conditions, geo-hydrological catastrophic events, declining landholdings, the terror of wildlife, and low output from arable land, and lack of use of modern technologies were all cited by the heads of households as causes for the drop in agricultural practices. This has resulted in a large-scale exodus of people, land abandonment, and livelihood insecurity. Agricultural development in the Garhwal Himalayas will be ensured by encouraging agricultural innovations, such as the use of experimental seeds, farm equipment, irrigation facilities, soil conservation, controlling wild animals, and providing a viable market to sell agricultural products.
Mots clés : Traditional agriculture|Catastrophe|Climate change and variability| land abandonment|exodus
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